WVH Watch List: Coaching Hot Seat

There really is no need to brag about getting something as right as saying a coach should be fired at anytime in the year. I know other sites will say they called it and what not but I like everyone else knew Fernando Clavijo’s time in Colorado was about two years too long.

So with that said it is time to figure out who is next in line or who is getting a warmer seat.

A little recap though for those keeping score at home. Below are the three coaches that have either been fired or have “resigned” on their own terms.

Fernando Clavijo, Colorado Rapids: Saw it coming from day one of LAST year. Finally happened though it probably wasn’t the way we all expected it to go down.

Ruud Gullit, LA Galaxy: I had him on the hot seat for the majority of the season, even during their decent spell of games that they won earlier in the year. While I didn’t expect him to get the boot this year the writing on the wall was pretty clear about it happening.

Steve Morrow, FC Dallas: Just as I start to mention him on the hot seat he gets canned this year. I previously mentioned at the start of the season that he would feel the heat and be in the discussion to get the boot if his club didn’t play well. Yeah, we all know how that one went.

So who’s next here? I’m closing the poll on the side of the page about this because of Clavijo’s resignation, most of you felt that it was his time to go as well but a few of you have picked on the other candidates that I provided.

Some of you have been pointing out to me about the top three now on the site and have asked why I put the three that I have. Simple, I will tell you as I always do. Pretty much this list is more geared towards this fall and winter. I highly doubt any more coaches will get the boot during this season but it is never too early to look ahead at these types of things.

1. Juan Carlos Osorio, New York: Osorio is feeling the heat because he is coaching in New York. The club has never been stable in terms of coaching and Osorio is trying to buck that trend. I for one hope it happens but until I see it he will be on this list, near the top, because of where he is at. Not to mention his club hasn’t been all that great this season anyways. His last two games have certainly helped his cause and some of his new players are making him look smart once again.

While I think New York will keep him for next year here it wouldn’t shock me to see him go if the club fails to reach the playoffs this season. They are in the playoff picture right now with 28 points and their schedule is certainly doable from here out. But some stumbles in games they should win will not give Red Bull fans hope for this club in the playoffs with as tight as the eastern conference is this year. They don’t appear to be a lock for an automatic bid at this point with the way Columbus, New England and Chicago have been playing…not to mention DC is right now there in that mix.

A wild-card at best right now for this club. If they stumble in the playoffs look out.

2. Tom Soehn, DC United: I put Soehn near the top for a couple reasons. One, his club has been largely inconsistent all year due to injuries and a packed schedule. Secondly, some questionable roster moves early will be blamed on him for not working out by some people (which isn’t always the case but does happen).

People in DC expect winning and at 9-10-1 right now, that isn’t exactly winning. Again, blame a slow start, a packed schedule, injuries, whatever things just aren’t as good as we’ve seen out of this bunch as before.

DC should make the playoffs but another stumble out will not work out well for Soehn this year.

3. John Carver, Toronto FC: Even with some recent moves I think Carver has to get a mention. I usually hate putting first year coaches on this list but with someone like Mo Johnston running the show in the background I wonder exactly how well things are working in Toronto. Plus, look at all the comments Carver makes in the presses, he isn’t exactly thrilled with how things go in MLS.

Should this club fail to reach the playoffs, expect there to be some serious heat on Carver. He’s had to juggle a line up a bit this season and in all honesty he needs some help in certain areas from Johnston in terms of players on the roster (defensively and up until the Ruiz trade, offensively).

If he reaches the playoff he will be fine but for now he has to be feeling some heat going into the final third of the season.

A couple to keep an eye out:

Preki, Chivas USA: While I think it would be a big injustice to Preki due to all the injuries his club has had to deal with it wouldn’t shock me to see this club try another direction if they fail to reach the playoffs this year.

Curt Onalfo, Kansas City Wizards: A lot of Wizards fans hate me for putting their coach anywhere near this list but come to reality folks, even with a young roster if you fail to produce results, then things have to change. I highly doubt he will get the boot anytime this year (offseason included) but I’m still not overly thrilled with the roster this club has right now. I think come the middle of next year if things are still floating around where they are now he will definitely be feeling the heat.

Mo

Bro, you basically mentioned every team's coach in the MLS. Not that hard.

kco

I don't think any KC supporters blame you, much less hate you, for putting CO on this list. In fact there is a brewing number of supporters that not only agree with you, but IMO next season will be his last (or cut short) if things don't turn around by this time next season in KC. Cause right now, KC sucks.

Mo

Bro, you basically mentioned every team’s coach in the MLS. Not that hard.

kco

I don’t think any KC supporters blame you, much less hate you, for putting CO on this list. In fact there is a brewing number of supporters that not only agree with you, but IMO next season will be his last (or cut short) if things don’t turn around by this time next season in KC. Cause right now, KC sucks.